Hydro-Ecological Restoration of Oligotrophic EcoSystems - HEROES

ongoing

Wetlands are among the most highly threatened ecosystems and the most important carbon stocks in the world. Aside from their unique biodiversity, they provide multiple ecosystem services, such as water supply, water purification, flood protection, carbon sequestration, climate regulation, production of raw materials and food, tourism and recreation. They also have an important esthetic and cultural value. Within the framework of the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the very new EU Nature Restoration Law, LIFE HEROES focuses on restoring and expanding nutrient-poor wetlands in Flanders. Eutrophication, acidification, desiccation, overgrowth and invasive alien species (IAS) are the main threats to the decline of unique fauna and flora (dragonflies, butterflies, amphibians and plants) and the degradation of the most important underground carbon reservoirs in Flanders. LIFE HEROES focuses on ecosystem restoration to address the current biodiversity and climate crisis and restore ecosystem services of nutrient-poor wetlands and provides a very first implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law by prioritising restoration efforts regarding wetlands and carbon rich systems. Our LIFE Heroes project’s main objective works in Natura 2000 areas (9 SACs) and targets EU habitats (3110, 3130, 3160, 7110, 7140, 7230, 91E0) and address the main threats to wetlands (eutrophication, drought and IAS). Within this framework, the specific objectives are the following: A. Restoration of oligotrophic systems at landscape level B. Restoration of habitats and species recovery C. Empowering stakeholders The added value of this project is that it will act as a demonstration project to create a leverage and mobilise additional funding to restore oligotrophic ecosystems in Flanders, Belgium. This will be done by involving site managers and stakeholders during the implementation of the restoration measures.